Statement: Dr. Alwyn Cohall, Director, Harlem Health Promotion Center, Columbia University

“Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed ban on the sale of large sugary drinks is a significant move in addressing the health problems that are devastating the lives of thousands of New Yorkers who suffer from chronic diseases related to obesity and overweight.  The city’s decision to improve public health is in keeping with the mission of the Harlem Health Promotion Center (HHPC) which is affiliated with the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--we are part of its 37-member Prevention Research Center (PRC) network. HHPC’s GetHealthyHarlem.org consumer website is focused on supporting community members in learning about the chronic diseases associated with obesity and providing plain-language, educational information along with a platform for users to post their own health-related content. HHPC is also overseeing a research study, Project SHARE (Support for Hypertension Awareness, Reduction and Education), that is helping members of the Northern Manhattan community reduce their risk factors for hypertension  through educational assistance that promotes behavior change around diet, physical activity, stress, tobacco use and many other key issues. Focused attention on life-style changes, including limiting intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), is a critical component of hypertension control. On behalf of the Harlem Health Promotion Center, I support the mayor’s efforts to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) as an important step that many New Yorkers can take to reduce obesity and to promote their general health and wellness.”